Wednesday 11 March 2015

Something in the Air - Thunderclap Newman

The higher overnight temperatures are not at all consistent so there has been little by way of 'returns' from the Moth Trap. Still only one in use at the moment, just to get a sample of what is going on, but they give it being a little warmer over the weekend - now where have we herd that before? Anyroad, the first
 COMMON QUAKER
of the year has been secured but unlikely to be the last.
At the Irrigation Pond things have remained by and large the same
but the 2/3
CANADA GEESE
have been lingering there
and allowing a couple of shots with the Solar Panels in view,
Goldbecks will be pleased.
  Don't know if the pair of COOT have any intention of making the
Water Filter a nest site, but only time will tell.
Meanwhile back at the
GADWALL GAZETTE
a second 'pair' have arrived and there is much posturing and displaying going on.
 I know the feeling Mate, you're not the only
BLACK SHEEP
around here!
A very interesting meeting with ALEX the Shepherd on Sunday morning. Seems I did pass on the 'right' information about the Sheep, but not all of it. While most of them are, as reported, Poll Dorset, among them are a few of these Black-Faced efforts which he informs me are North Country Mule, sired by Leicester Rams and out of Swaledale Ewes - all a bit complicated for a bit of extra meat. He went on to say that such is the public demand these days for less 'strong' meats, most of the Lambs will find out "What you get for pretending the danger's not real. Meek and obedient you follow the leader down well trodden corridors into the valley of steel" Pink Floyd! as soon as they finish suckling. Ever onward and a visit to the
YAWWWNNNN!
another 2 Canada Geese behind Eco
and back at Parley Pond another pair of
GADWALL
  Down at the Flight Pond something has been busy.
 Ah Yes
FROG SPAWN
already laid with some, as shown by the dark patches,
  well on their way to becoming Tadpoles.
Well, at least we'll have something for tea!
This poor fella was 'brown bread' must have been all that climbing onboard?
There 'were' (until I arrived) c4 Wigeon and a Grey Heron there as well.
 The situation as regards the
 ROOK
 population here has been bugging me for a while now. With seemingly
only one or 2 nests, I ventured to the inside of Bournemouth International
Airport to check things out further.
 Sure enough in the trees that are not visible from the Farm
 there are in fact c10 active nests making quiet a neat little
ROOKERY
 These Gravel Pits were only excavated a couple of weeks ago
and already they are covered in
 GREEN ALGAE
Onward to the Sewerage Works for what turned out to be a
'Purple 5 Minutes'
 It was 'calling' from above that drew my attention to about a dozen
 SISKIN
not at all a common sight here, and as they disappeared a flicker on
the perimeter fence manifested itself into a
 FIRECREST
 which remained there for all of 10 seconds.
 Eventually it was seen, again briefly, 4 more times but great to see one
here after more than a year.
Finally, out of the west flew an
 EGYPTIAN GOOSE
 which even after a search was only recorded as a 'fly-over'.
 Late afternoon and an impromptu walk along the River Stour produced the
First True Migrant
SAND MARTIN
which was also a short stayer resulting in a 'borrowed' image from
Wikipedia
 GREEN SANDPIPER
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